Signaling apparatus



Feb. 9, 1932" H D :OLM 11,844,2Q5

S IGNALI NG APPARATUS Filed March 14. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Huumrd .U. 5131mm? ATTORNEYS Feb. 9, 1932. H D. COLMAN SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 14, l927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mun INVENTOR Huh/41rd D. Eulmnn ATTORNEYS Feb. 9, H932.

H. D. COLMAN 344,205

SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 14, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheei'. 3

- INVENTOR Hoard D. 501mm! I ix g Q ATTORNEYS LS MLZQS :1 Q5. 9, 1932. H. D. COLMAN SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March,14;

1927 5 Sheets-Shea; 4

60 Q it" IOIl CIIIIIIQl NTOR ZNVE

ATTORNEYS Feb. 9, 1932. H. D. COLMAN SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 14. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR Huumrd .U Colman ATTORNEYS Ill) Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES HOWARD D. COLMAN, F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS SIGNALING APPARATUS Application filed March 14, 1927. Serial No. 175,377.

The invention has general reference to a signal transmitting mechanlsm andmore specifically the invention relates to the transmission of codal signals for the purpose of controlling at a remote point the operation of a desired mechanism or instrumental ty.

The primary object! of the inventlon is to provide a new and improved transmitter of the start-stop type operable under manual control from a normal rest position through a predetermined cycle for the transmisslon of a preconcerted signal with means operating during such cycle to maintain a predetermined and accurately timed relation between the units comprising the signal.

A further object is to provide a transmitter adapted to send a signal composed of a preconcerted combination of units and having, in combination with a watch type escapement mechanism for effecting the step-by-step movement of a rotary sending device, switch controlling surfaces on said device coordinated with the beats of the escapement so as to initiate or terminate each unit of the signal on a predetermined beat in the cycle and thereby insure an accurate timing of the signal impulses.

A further object is to provide a novel rotary sending device operable through a predetermined cycle and arranged to be driven through the medium of a spring, in combination with an electric motor operable during the cycle to tension the spring.

Another object is to provide a springactuated sending device having an escapement mechanism for timing the operation of a signal transmitting element and means derh ing energy from the driving spring to initiate the operation of the escapement when the latter is released at the beginning of a signal cycle.

Another object is to provide a sending device which is arranged to be operated through a predetermined cycle by a motor having an electromagnet whose coil is also utilized in the operation of the trip mechanism for starting the device in operation.

Anotherobject is to provide in combination with an electrical circuit such as the lighting system of a motor vehicle means for The objects of the invention thus generally stated, together with other and ancillary ad;

vantages are obtained by the construction and arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and hereinafter fully described. It is contemplated, however, that various changes in the construction and arrangement employed may -be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the sending device employed in my inproved signaling apparatus.

Fig.2 is aside View of the same with parts at one end broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and showing the electromagnetic motor.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken approximately in the plane of line 55 of Fig. 1 and showing the escapement mechanism.

Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic views. Fig. 6 shows the wiring diagram with the sending and control elements in their initial positions, and Fig. 7 shows those elements approximately one-half cycle from the position shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the main sending element.

Fig. 9 is a detail view taken approximately in the plane of line 9-9 of Fig. 5. I

The transmitting mechanism illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the selective receiving apparatus disclosed in my copending aplication Serial No. 120,7 63,filed July 6,1926,

atent No. 1,760,478, May 27 1930. Accordingly, the invention will be described as a means for transmitting radiant energy impulses in preconcerted codal combinations from a motor vehicle or other station. In an earlier abandoned application, Serial No. 1,808, filed January 12, 1925, there is disclosed a generally similar transmitting mechanism and this application is a continuation in part of said earlier application.

In the form herein illustrated, the transmitting mechanism comprises two disks 13 and 13 fixed upon a rotatable shaft 14 and operating to close two sets of contacts 15 and 15' selectively to effect the transmission of codal impulses in predetermined combinations. The latter (Fig. 6) constitute two switches of which the switch 15 is interposed in a circuit 16 including a battery 17 (which may be the storage battery of a motor vehicle), and the primary 18 of an induction coil 19, the latter having the usual vibrator 20. A spark gap 21 is interposed in parallel with the secondary 22 of the coil 19, this latter circuit being in series with a closed or loop antenna 23 and a condenser 24 forming an oscillatory circuit. The loop may be mounted beneath one of the running boards of a motor vehicle.

The switch 15' is interposed in a circuit 25 in shunt with the circuit 16 and including a part of a light circuit 26 such as the taillight circuit of a motor vehicle, the latter circuit having therein the usual hand operated switch 27.

The disks 13 and 13', constituting the rotary sending elements, are constructed to provide peripheral depressions 28 and elevations 29. These elevations and depressions provide switch control surfaces constituting control elements which, as will be later described in detail, are ada ted to determine the spacing of the units 0 the codal signal. The movable contacts of the switches 15 and 15' are equipped with followers 30 and 30' adapted to engage with the peripheries of the disks 13 and 13 respectively so as to close the switch contacts when an elevation is encountered. It will be apparent that in each revolution of the disks 13 and 13' the switches 15 and 15' are operated, the former operating intermittently at predetermined intervals and the latter once in each cycle but at a predetermined point therein. The closing of the switch 15', however, is effective to energize the induction coil 19 only when the hand operated switch 27 controlling the light circuit 26 is closed. 7

The shaft 14 is supported by a frame structure herein comprising a plate 31 the opposite sides of which are bent upwardly to form standards 32 and 33. The standard 32 provides a journal mounting for one end of the shaft 14, the other end being journaled in a plate 34 secured to the standard. 33. Fixed on the shaft 14 near one end thereof are the disks 13 and 13'. Power to drive the shaft and hence the disks 13 and 13' is derived from a spring which may be tcnsioned periodlcally y suitable means. This means in thepresent instance comprises a motor consisting of a magnet comprising one or more coils 35 (Figs. 1 and 6) and an armature 36'. Said armature is carried upon a spring arm 37 (Fig. 4) anchored at its lower end and carrying at its upper end a pawl 38. The arm 37 normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 4 with the armature spaced from the core of the magnet so that when the latter 1S energized, the arm is placed under tension. Consequently, when the coils are deenergized, the f0rce resulting from the tension in the spring arm operates the pawl to drive a ratchet wheel 39, the latter being mounted loosely on the shaft 14. Herein the pawl 38 is held in engagement with ratchet teeth by a spring tongue 40 struck out from the upper end of the arm 37, the pawl being disposed in a slot formed in the upper reversely bent end of the arm 37.

Between the actuating motor and the shaft 14 carrymg the disks 13 and 13' is an energy storage means adapted to permit of variations in the speed of the motor relative to the shaft, the latter being governed for operation at a predetermined speed by an escapement later to be described. I This storage means herein comprises a coiled torsion spring 41, enclosed within a drum 42 (Fig. 4), one end of the spr ngbemg anchored at 43 to the drum which is fast on the shaft 14. The other end of the spring 44 is fixed to a collar 45 rigid with the ratchetwheel and projecting into the drum. A spring pawl 46 serves to hold the ratchet wheel against reverse rotation.

Associated with the armature 36 of the electromagnet is a suitable interrupter '47 (Figs. 4 and 6) consisting of a pair of contacts one rigid with the arm 37 and the other carried on the upper end of a yieldable arm 48 anchored at its lower end upon an insulating block 49. The interrupter circuit (see Fig. 6) extends from the ground through the storage battery 17, a conductor 50, the coils 35, a conductor 51, a switch 52, a conductor 53, the interrupter switch 47 and back to the ground. The contacts constituting the switch 52 are adapted to be controlled by a disk 54 fast on the shaft 14 (Fig. 1) and having a notch 55 with which a follower 56 coacts. Thus it will be apparent that after an initial operation of the shaft 14 causing the follower 56 to ride out of the notch 55 in the disk 54, the switch 52 is held closed. Thereupon through the operation of the interrupter 47, the armature 36 will be reciprocated, and since this armature carries with it the pawl 38, the ratchet wheel 39 will be driven in a direction to wind the coil spring 41. Means to be presently described is provided for controlling the rotation of the shaft 14 so as to effect the operation of the control disks 13 and 13 through a predetermined cycle after which the shaftis automatically stopped subject to subsequent release at the will of the operator for the next operation. The arrangement is such, therefore, that the motor magnet is operative during each cycle to store energy in the spring 41, thus maintainmg the latter under tension at all times and insuring the starting of the shaft in the next cycle. Preferably, the motor is constructed so as to develop at all times considerably greater power than is required to rotate the shaft 14. Thus when the main spring 41 is wound to a predetermined degree, the motor is rendered ineffective due to the inability of the spring arm 37 to rotate the ratchet wheel against the opposing tension of the spring. Herein the arm 37 and the retaining pawl 46 are mounted at their lower ends ina clamp (Figs. 1 and 2) consisting of a U-shaped member 57 fast on a shaft 58, andan L-shaped member 59 having a slotted arm adjustably secured to the upright frame member 31 by a screw 60 by means of which the stroke of the pawl 38 may be varied. One end of the shaft 58 is joumaled in the standard 33 and the other 'end is journaled in an upright member 61 welded to the base plate 31 and to a bracket arm 62 integral with the frame standard 32.- The followers 30', 30 and 56 which coact respectively with the disks 13', 13 and 54 (Fig. 6), are mounted on the upper ends of spring arms 64, 65, and 66 (Figs. 2, 3, and 4), the arms for the several followers being anchored at their lower ends upon the block 49. Each of said arms carries a switch contact at its upper end while the other contact of that switch is carried by the upper ends of spring arms 67, 68 and 69 mounted at their lower ends on a block 7 O which insulates them from escapement mechanism (Fig. 5) which is generally of well-known construction and may be said to be of the watch type. Thus it consists of a toothed escapement wheel 73 fast upon the shaft 14 and a pallet 74 rigid with a shaft 75 having end trunnions, one of which is journaled in the upright portion of the bracket arm 62, the other end being j ournaled in a bracket 76 secured to the frame standard 32. The pallet 74 has arcuate dogs 77 and 78 at its opposite ends adapted to engage alternately with teeth of the escapement wheel to effect a rapid step-by-step movement of the shaft 14 during each signaling cycle. Rigid with respect to the pallet are a pair of spaced fingers 79 straddling the hub of the escapement wheel so as to serve as stops for limiting the swing of the pallet in either direction. An arm 80 extends rearwardly from the pallet and is forked at its end to receive a pin 81 on a balance wheel 82. Said wheel is mounted on a shaft 83 journalled at one end in the bracket 76 and at the other end in the upturned portion of a bracket 84 which is integral with the main frame standard 32. Thus the balance wheel is free to oscillate in a well known manner under the control of a coiled balance spring 85 with a predetermined number of beats occurring in each operating cycle. The spring 85 is anchored at one end to the shaft 83 and at its other end to the bracket 84 as at 86 (Figs. 3 and 5).

The escapement mechanism operates in the following manner. v During the oscillation of the pallet arm 80 upwardly the lower dog 78 is positioned between two of the teeth on the escapement wheel, the outer concentric surface-87 then serving as a stop for the wheel. As the arm continues to move upwardly under the action of the balance spring 85 the end of the engaging tooth of the wheel follows outwardly along the surface 87 until the cam surface 88 is reached, whereupon the wheel is released for movement forwardly by the main spring 41. The motion of the wheel is arrested when the tooth thereon which is just behind the upper dog 77 of the pallet strikes the inner arcuate surface 89 on that dog. In the initial portion of this advancing movement of the wheel, the released tooth acts as a cam on the surface 88 to further oscillate the pallet thereby imparting energy to the balance wheel which energy is absorbed by the balance spring and is utilized in the next or reverse oscillation of the pallet arm. v This latter oscillation controls the next advancing movement of the escapement in the manner just described except that the engaging tooth of the wheel 73 acts on the inner arcuate surface 89 and the cam surface 90 of the pallet dog 77! Thus it will be seen that there is a prolonged period of dwell of the escapement wheel between the rapid advancing steps. During each of these dwell periods, the pallet is under the control of the balance spring 85 for the reason that the stop surfaces 87 and 89 are arcuate in character so that the force exerted on either pallet dog will act through the pivotal center of the pallet, thereby preventing oscillation of the pallet by the main spring 41. Preferably, the pallet dogs are so constructed and the balance spring so tensioned that the intervals during which the escapement wheel is actually in motion are small compared to the periods of dwell ofthe wheel.

Where, as in the instant case, the transmitter is to be used in sending a preconcerted combination of units to control a selective receiver operating in timed relation thereto, the use of an escapement mechanism of the watch type is of vital importance from the standpoint of insuring with a high degree of accuracy a predetermined rate of transmission during each signal cycle. As an incident to the use of such an escapement the rotation of the sending shaft occurs with a step-by-step motion, the advancing movements taking place ver rapidly with relatively long intervening dwell periods. While the latter are of uniform duration, being under the control of the spring controlled balance, they consume such a large time interval compared to the advancing movements of any unit that it is essential that the sending switch or switches be opened or closed to initiate or terminate any given unit of the signal on a predetermined one of the advancing movements. Otherwise the timing might be thrown off to an extent equal to the length of the dwell period.

Therefore the transmitter is constructed so that during each signal cycle the escapement mechanism operates with a predetermined number of beats to effect a corresponding number of advancing movements; and the switch control surfaces, provided by the sloping sides of the elevations 29, are so spaced that with a given speed of the escapement wheel the opening or closing of the transmitting switch or switches to initiate or terminate any given unit of the signal always occurs on the same beat of the escapement and hence on the same advancing movement of the sending elements. Such coordination is simplified by arranging the escapement wheel on the sender shaft so that it is rotated at the same speed as the sending elements.

In the present instance, the escapement wheel is constructed with twenty-two teeth, and therefore will be advanced in forty-four beats or steps during each signal cycle or revolution of the sending elements 13 and 3, and the closing or opening of the sending switches 15 or 15 to initiate or terminate any one unit of the signal always occurs on a predetermined one of said beats. The dwell positions of the sending element 13 are indicated by radial lines in Fig. 8, the spaces between these lines representing the movement of the element during the corresponding advancing steps. As shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the axis of the roller of the follower 30 is disposed in the plane of the line 92 when the sending element is in its normal starting position. the switch 15 then being open. The initial movement of the shaft 14 rapidly advances the sending element 13 so as to close the switch 15, the follower roller then bein in contact with the first elevation 29 wit its axis disposed in the plane of the line 93. This position is maintained during the first dwell period. During the next four dwell periods, the element occupies the positions such that the lines 94, 94 94 and 94 coincide with the follower roller, the switch 15 remaining closed during these intervals. During the sixth advancing step of the element 13, the switch 15 is opened quickly to terminate the initial signal impulse, the follower then being in contact with the first depression 28 in the disk 13 on the line 95 and remaining there during the sixth dwell period. Thus, the first impulse of the signal includes five dwell periods, four full advancing periods and part of the first and sixth advancing periods. In a similar way, the switch 15 will be closed during the eighth advancing-step of the cycle, held closed during the eighth and ninth dwell periods and opened during the tenth step of the cycle. Therefore, the sending element 13 shown herein will operate to hold the sending switch 15 closed during dwell periods 1 to 5 inclusive, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16 to 19 inclusive, 25 to 30 inclusive, 4:1 and 42, of each signaling cycle. Where the switch 15 is to be closed during several adjacent dwell periods, an elongated elevation may be provided as, for instance, in the case of the starting impulse of the signal. The elevation 29 on the disk 13' is positioned so that it will, provided the hand switch 27 is closed at the time, close the switch 15 on the thirty-seventh step or beat of the signal cycle and open it on the thirtyninth beat, thereby holding said switch closed during the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth dwell periods.

Attention is directed to the fact that by providing for a step-by-step advance of the shaft 14 in combination with the arrangement whereby the opening or closing of the sending switch or switches occurs in the case of each unit of the signal on a predetermined beat of the escapement, as just described, exact timing of the signal impulses is effected. Since each advancing movement of the shaft 14 occupies such a short interval of time as compared to the dwell periods between the advancing movements, the exact point during the advancing interval at which the sending switch is closed or opened is practically immaterial. Because of this rapid make and break of the transmitting control switches, it is not essential that the elevations on the sending elements be positioned accurately as would be the case if a continuous movement were imparted to the elements during each signal cycle, or if the sending switches were closed and opened during the same advancing movement of the elements. Furthermore, by holding the sending switches closed during a dwell period, long and therefore easily detectable signal impulses are transmitted.

To provide means by which the period of oscillation of the balance wheel 82 and therefore the speed of the shaft 14 may be in creased or decreased as desired, a segmental member 97 (see Fig. 5) is pivotally mounted on the shaft 83 and adapted to be clamped against-an upturned portion of the bracket 84 by a screw 98 extending through an elongated arcuate slot 99 in the member 97. The member has an arm 100 slotted to snugly receive the outer loop of the balance spring so that the effective length of the spring will be determined by the position of said arm. By adjusting the member 97 angularly, the spring may be adjusted so as to properly time the movements of the pallet 80.

Means is provided for starting the shaft 14 for rotation through an operating cycle and for stopping the shaft after such rotation. This means comprises an arm 101 looseon the shaft 14 and having a pin-and-slot connection 102 (Fig. 5) with the escapement wheel '73 a spring 103 being arranged to swing the arm in the direction of rotation of the shaft 14 as permitted by the pin-and-slot connection. As shown in Fig. 5, this arm 101 has a stop finger 104 whichis arranged to coact with the upper dog 77 of the pallet 7 4'so as to hold the upper end of the pallet away from the escapement wheel while maintaining the dog 78 at the lower end of the pallet in hold ing engagement with a tooth 105 of the escapement wheel. The arm also carries a pin 106 which is adapted to be engaged by the free end of a trip bar 107. The other end of said bar is pivotally connected to an armature 108 at the end of the magnet 35 opposite the armature 36. Herein the armature 108 is pivoted on a vertical axis at 109 on a bracket 110. A spring 111 acts between the trip bar 107 and a slotted plate 112 integral with the bracket 62 so as to exert a combined downward and rearward force on the trip bar. Rearward movement of the bar and hence of the armature 108 is normally limited by a shoulder 113 on the bar (see Fig. 5), which shoulder engages with the plate 112 at the lower edgc'of the slot therein. The operation of the trip bar 107 through the energization of the magnet coil 35 results in the movement of the cam finger 104 on the arm 101 by the engagement of the end of the bar with the pin 106, thus releasing the pallet 74 for oscillation.

The magnet coils 35 are arranged to be initially energized to trip the control mechanism for the shaft 14 by means of a hand switch or push button 115 (Fig. 0) interposed in a conductor 116 connecting the coils 35 with the ground in a manner such as to permit completion of a circuit with the battery 17. When this switch 115 is closed the armature 108 is attracted and the trip bar 107 is moved in a direction to strike the pin 106 on the arm 101 thereby moving the stop finger so as to disengage it from the pallet dog 77, thus freeing the pallet for oscillation and setting in operation the shaft 14 under the action of the main spring 41.

In the operation of the trip bar 107 to start the shaft 14 through an operating cycle, a second shoulder 117 (Fig. 5) on the trip bar moves under the action of the spring 111 into engagement with the plate 112, at the lower end of its slot. The armature 108 is thus held in engagement with the pole pieces of the magnet until the shaft 14 approaches the end of its cycle of operation when the pin 106 engages the trip bar and lifts the latter slightly so as to disengage the shoulder 117 from its engagement with the plate 112. The spring 111 then operates to withdraw the armature 108 to its .initial position and this occurs prior to the interru pti on of the interrupter circuit by the opening of the switch 52.

It will be seen that by the arrangement provided, a single magnet serves both as the operating motor and a trip magnet. Locking the trip armature against the pole pieces increases the efliciency of the magnet as a motor and at the same time holds the trip armature against useless movement during the operation of the motor armature.

To start an ordinary escapement mechanism, it is usually necessary to oscillate the pallet manually, owing to the fact that the tension in the balance spring is not suflicient, when the escapement is at rest, to overcome the friction between the stopping dog of the pallet and the engaging tooth of the escapement wheel. Therefore, means is provided for initiating the operation of the escapement after the pallet has been released by movement of the trip bar 107. This means comprises, in the present instance, the tooth of the escapement wheel and an inclined surface 118 (Figs. 5 and 9) cooperating therewith when the escapement wheel is in stopped position. As shown in Fig. 9, the tooth 105 is made narrower than the other teeth of the wheel and the pallet dog 78 is cut away opposite the tooth 105 to form an inclined or cam faced starting surface 118. Thus the tooth 105 is adapted to engage with the surface 118 offset outwardly relative to the cam surface 88 so as to be engaged by the tooth 105 in the stopped position of the escapement while all of the other teeth will engage the arcuate con centric surface 87 and the cam surface 88 of the pallet dog 78. When the escapement wheel is in rest position as shown in Fig. 5, the tooth 105 will be forced against the starting surface 118 by the action of the main spring 41, the line of action of the applied force being perpendicular to the starting surface 118 and therefore eccentrically of the axis of the pallet. The tendency of this force is to oscillate the pallet arm upwardly. Therefore, as soon as the stop finger 104 is removed from engagement with the upper dog 77, the pallet will be permitted to move upwardly, which movement is also assisted by the balance spring. Thus, the energy stored in the main spring is utilized to start the escapement mechanism without effecting the tim ing thereof except during the first advancing movement.

The operation of the sending device will be described with reference to its use in controlling the operation of a garage door from a motor vehicle, it being assumed that the device is incorporated in a motor vehicle with direct current supplied by the storage battery of the vehicle; that the character of the codal signal is varied under the control of the tail light circuit; and that the transmis sion of the codal signal through space is effected through the medium of an induction coil, spark gap and loop antenna, the latter being carried by the vehicle as, for example, beneath one of the running boards.

To start the device in operation, the operator of the vehicle closes the switch 115 so as to complete a circuit containing the electromagnetic coils 35 and the battery 17, the sending device being assumed to be in its rest position (Fig. 5) with the pallet dog 7 8 interlocked with the thin tooth 105 of the escapement wheel by the stop finger 104 acting through the upper pallet dog 77. The closing of the switch 115 energizes the coils 35 so that the trip bar 107 is actuated by the armature 108. Said bar, engaging with the pin 106 on the arm 101, moves the finger 104 upwardly out of engagement with the pallet dog 77 allowing the dog to be oscillated toward the escapement wheel by the combined action of the balance spring 85 and the main spring 41, the latter acting through the thin tooth 105 of the escapement wheel and the cam faced starting surface 118 of the pallet dog 78. Thus the shaft 14 is started and the pallet, oscillating under the control of the balance wheel 82, governs the operation of the escapement wheel and hence the step by step movement of the shaft 14 to insure its operation at the predetermined speed for one revolution.

In the initial portion of the rotation of the shaft 14, the control disk 54 on the shaft closes the switch 52 controlling the interrupter circuit which contains the magnet coils 35 and the battery 17. The armature 36 of the magnet is thus actuated, and by reason of the. association therewith of the interrupter 47, the interrupter circuit, although completed by the switch 52 is periodically broken. The armature 36 thus vibrates rapidly, and with it the driving pawl 38 of the ratchet wheel 39, to effect a winding of the spring 41. The armature 108 at the opposite end of the magnet coil is held during this operation from vibrating by the latching of the trip bar 107 through the engagement of the notch 117 therein with the lower end of the slot in the plate 112.

In the winding of the spring 41 the pawl 38 is alternately retracted b the magnet coil 35 and returned by the action of the spring arm 37, the latter being tensioned by the magnet. Thus the power stroke of the pawl is effected by spring tension in the arm 37. When the spring 41 becomes wound to its predetermined tension, the pawl will simply vibrate along the face of one of the ratchet teeth and will be inefi'ective to wind the spring further.

WVhen the shaft 14 has travelled through approximately one revolution, the pin 106 on the arm 101 strikes the under side of the trip bar 107 and lifts the same against the action of the spring 111 so as to disengage the shoulder 117 from the plate 112 (Fig. 5), thus allowing the trip armature 108 to be moved by the spring 111 away from the magnet coils 35. Immediately thereafter the stop member 104 engages the upper pallet dog 77 and latches the pallet in holding engagement with the escapement wheel thereby stopping the shaft 14. At this time the notch 55 in the controller disk 54 will be positioned to receive the follower 56, thus operating the switch 52 to break interrupter circuit.

In the rotation of the shaft 14 the disks 13 and 13 operate the two sets of contacts 15 and 15, to cause a codal signal "of the character described above to be transmitted. According to the arrangement employed in my said copending application Serial No. 120,763, filed July 6, 1926, the disk 13 is operated to send a codal signal of a fixed predetermined character, which when received by properly responsive receiving mechanism will control the operation of a door operating mechanism. The disk 13' is or is not effective to vary the codal signal transmitted depending upon the condition of the switch 27 controlling the tail-light circuit. If it is open, the disk is inoperative to change the character of the signal transmitted, by adding an extra signal impulse or unit, but if it is closed, such added unit is transmitted which is operative in the receiving apparatus to control the operation of the garage lighting system. The means for controlling the operation of such a lighting system in response to the received signal is made the subject of copending application Serial No. 177,555, filed March 23, 1927, by Duncan J.

Stewart, Patent No. 1,783,633, Dec. 2, 1930.

In the application of a signaling system to a motor vehicle for the purpose of controlling the operation of a door operator or the like from the vehicle, it is of course essential that the signal transmitting deviceor sender operate at approximately the same speed as the receiver positioned in the garage, in order that the selecting mechanism of the receiver shall be responsive to the signal combination transmitted. Moreover, it is essential that both the sender and the receiver be capable of starting from a position of rest and automatically stopping after operation through a predetermined cycle. The signaling device of my invention, it will be observed, is especially adapted to meet such requirements and this notwithstandlng the fact that a direct current vibratory motor is provided the speed of which varies with the nature of the contact made at the interrupter switch and with the condition of the storage battery. Furthermore, the signaling device is in the form of a start-stop sender adapted to be started from a normal rest position under manual control and stopped automatically at the end of a predetermined cycle of operation, the driving motor and associated spring transmission insuring an ample supply of power to rotate the sending element and maintaining such supply in a manner which permits of the control of the speed of operation so as to conform to the speed of operation of the receiver. Sufficient energy may be stored in the main spring to operate the sending disks through several cycles so that the device as a whole will operate properly even though the hand switch 115 should beheld closed thereby preventing operation of the interrupter 47.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sending device having, in combination, a shaft to be driven, means operable in the rotation of the shaft to effect the transmission of codal signals, means for driving said shaft including a spring, an escapement mechanism for controlling the speed of rotation of said shaft including an oscillatory pallet, and a part movable into engagement with said pallet tolock it after a predetermined cycle of operation of said shaft, said part being operatively associated with said shaft but having a limited movement independent thereof so as to be disengageable from said pallet.

2. A signal sending device coinprisiiw, in combination, a shaft. means operable in a predetermined cycle of operation of said shaft to transmit a codal signal, means for rotating said shaft including a spring, an escapement mechanism for governing the speed of rotation of said shaft comprising a toothed wheel fast on the shaft, an oscillatory pallet and a spring controlled balance acting on said pallet, a control device comprising an element normally acting to hoid the pallet against oscillation, said element being yieldably mounted so as to be movable out of holding relation to the pallet to initiate rotation of the shaft by said spring, and a trip member movable into engagement with said element when in its holding position to move it and thereby release the pallet, said element being further operable to interrupt the oscillation of the pallet at the end of the signal cycle.

3. In start-stop signaling apparatus, the combination of means for transmittim codal signals including a rotatable member, drivmg means for said member including a motor and a device adapted to receive and store energy from said motor and normally tendmg to operate the member, an escapement mechanism for controlling the rotation of said member, a latch device for stopping the member after a predetermined cycle of rotation, and electromagnetically-controlled trip means for disengaging said latch device, said device to initiate each signaling cycle, and

means for actuating the driving means including an electromagnet having a reciprocable armature, said starting means including a second armature also associated with said magnet, and means for latching said second armature against movement during the operation of said device.

6. In start-stop signaling apparatus, the combination of means for transmitting codal signals including a rotatable device, driving means for said device, actuating means for the driving means including an electromagnet having an armature operatively associated with said driving means, means controlling the energization of said electromagnet to eifect the reciprocation of the armature, means normally holding said device against rotation, a second armature for said magnet having a part operable to disengage said holding means, and means operating to hold the second armature in its attracted position during the operation of the first mentioned armature.

7. A start-stop transmitter comprising, in combination, a rotary signal sending device, driving means for said device including a spring, an escapement mechanism for controlling the rotation of said device and including a toothed wheel, an oscillatory pallet coacting with said wheel and a spring controlled balance, means operating as an incident to the rotation of said shaft through a predetermined cycle to hold said pallet against movement, and means for disengaging said holding means to initiate a further operating cycle, said escapement wheel and pallet having surfaces interengagmg w1th a cam action in the stopped position of the device only and operatlng by the power of the main spring when the holding means is d1sengaged to move the pallet and initiate a c cle.

8. In a start-stop signaling apparatus the combination of a rotatable shaft, means tending to rotate said shaft, ah escapement mechanism comprising a toothed wheel fast on the shaft, and an oscillatory pallet coacting with said wheel and having a spring controlled balance, said pallet having a pair of dogs with arcuate surfaces alternately engaged by the teeth of said wheel during the rotation of the latter, and a releasable device for stopping the shaft in its rotation with one of said dogs engaging a predetermined tooth of the wheel, the last mentioned dog having a cam starting surface engageable by said predetermined tooth only in the stopped position of said shaft.

9. A device of the character described comprising, in combination with a shaft to be driven, means operable in the rotation of said shaft to effect the transmission of codal signals, a spring tending to rotate said shaft, an escapement mechanism including a toothed wheel on said shaft and an oscillatory pallet, and means normally operating to hold said toothed wheel against rotation by said spring including a device for locking said pallet with one of its dogs in engagement with the escapement wheel, saidescapement wheel having a special tooth of a different width than other teeth and operating in the stopped position of the wheel to engage one dog of the pallet, and said dog of the pallet being constructed to provide a cam surface engageable only by said special tooth of the escapement Wheel.

10. In a start-stop signaling apparatus, the combination of a rotatable shaft, means including a spring tending to rotate said shaft, an escapement mechanism comprising a toothed wheel fast on the shaft, an oscillatory pallet and a spring controlled balance, means normally operating to hold said toothed wheel against rotation including a device for locking said pallet in engagement with the escapement wheel, and means deriving energy from said spring and acting only in the stopped position of said wheel to move the pallet out of engagement therewith when the pallet is released by said holding device.

11. A signal transmitter comprising, in combination, a rotary element, a drive spring under tension tending to rotate said element,

- an escapement mechanism for controlling the speed of rotation of said element including an oscillatory member, a part rotatable with said element but capable of a limited,

movement relative thereto, means operable in the movement of said part by said element to lock said oscillatory member against movement, and means for actuating the said part to cause said oscillatory member to release said element.

12. A signal transmitter comprising, in combination, a rotary element, a drive spring under tension tending to rotate said element, an escapement mechanism for controlling the speed of rotation of said element including an oscillatory member, a part rotatable with said element but capable of a limited movement relative thereto, means operable in the movement of said part by said element to lock said oscillatory member against movement, an actuator for said part adapted to release said oscillatory member, and latch means for holding said actuator in its actuated position. 4

13. A signal transmitter comprising, in combination, a rotary element, a drive spring under tension tending torotate said element, an escapement mechanism for controlling the speed of rotation of said element including an oscillatory member, a part rotatable with said element but capable of a limited moves ment relative thereto, means operable in the movement'of said part by said element to lock said oscillatory member against movement, an actuator for said part adapted to release said oscillatory member, latch means for preventing the return of said actuator to its normal position, and means operating automatically to disengage said latch means at a predetermined point in the rotation of said element.

14. The combination of a switch-controlled light circuit for a motor vehicle and a signal sending device having signal forming means and actuating mechanism therefor operable to execute a single predetermined signaling cycle, said signal forming means including two sets of sending contacts one of which is normally operable automatically in each cycle to send a codal signal composed of a preconcerted combination of signal units each having one of two differentiating characteristics, and means operable at will to control the other set of contacts to vary the. automatically composed signal by changing the character of certain of the signal units, the last mentioned means including said light circuit with said other set of contacts interposed therein.

15. The combination of a light circuit for a motor vehicle, of means on said vehicle for transmitting a code combination of signal units, manually operated means for controlling the operation of said transmitting means, and means whereby the character of said transmitted code is automatically varied according as to whether the light circuit is open or closed.

16. A signal sender comprising, in combination, avtransmitting switch, a device for controlling said switch, means for driving said device through a predetermined cycle whereby to transmit a signal composed of a redetermined number of units, and an escapement mechanism including an oscilla' t-ory pallet and a spring controlled balance and acting to control the rate of movement of said device by said driving means, said escapement mechanism operating in said cycle with a predetermined number of beats, and said sending element having switch control surfacesoperable to close and open said switch and coordinated with the beats of the escapement mechanism in any given cycle to initiate or terminate each unit of the signal on a predetermined one of said beats in the cycle.

17. A signal transmitter having, in combination, a rotary element, a spring normally maintained under stress and tending to rotate said element, an escapement mechanism having a spring controlled balance arranged to control the advance of said element in a succession of rapidstepping movements with relatively long intervening dwell periods of uniform length, means normally acting to prevent operation of said element under the control of said escapement mechanism and adapted when rendered ineffectual to permit said element to execute an invariable signal cycle composed of a predetermined number of said stepping movements. the movement of said element being arrested automatically at the end of said cycle, a transmitting switch, and means driven by said element during each cycle and operable to invariably close or open said switch on predetermined ones of said stepping movements.

18. A signal transmitter having, in combi-.

nation. a rotary element, a spring normally maintained under stress and tending to rotate said element, an escapement mechanism comprising a toothed wheel on said rotary element. and a pallet controlled by a balance spring and adapted in its oscillation to permit the advance of said rotary element in a succession of stepping movements. means normally acting to prevent oscillation of said pallet and adapted when rendered ineffectual to permit said escapement to operate and said element to execute an invariable signal cycle composed of a predetermined number of said stepping movements, the movement of said element being arrested automatically at the end of such cycle, a transmitting switch. and means carried by said rotary element and operable during each signal cycle to invariably close or open said switch on predetermined ones of said stepping movements. 19. A signal transmitter having, in combination, a rotary element, spring means tending to rotate said element, an escapement mechanism controlling the advance of said element in a succession of stepping movements, means by which the operation of said escapement mechanism may be initiated to cause said element to travel over an invariable number of said stepping movements and then to be' stopped, transmitting means, a switch controlling said transmitting means, means driven by said elements and controlling said switch to change the condition thereof on predetermined steppin movements in each cycle of said element w ereby to transmit an invariable number of signal units, a second switch in parallel with said first mentioned switch, means also driven by said element and acting to change the condition of said second switch on a predetermined one of said stepping movements, and a manually controllable switch in series with said second switch for rendering said second switch efi'ective or ineffective to vary a predetermined one of the units of the signal combination transmitted under the control of said first mentioned switch, the variation thus efiected by the joint action of said manually operable switch and said second switch being timed with respect to the signal cycle by said escapement mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

HOWARD D. COLMAN.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION;

Patent No. 1,844,205. Granted February 9, 1932, to

' HOWARD n. comaN.-

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 118, beginning with the word "offset" strike out-all to and including the word "escapement" in line 120, and in line 116, after the numeral "118" insert-the words offset outwardly relative to the cam surface 88 so as to be engaged by the tooth 105 in the stopped position of the eseapement; page 9, line 72, claim 19, for "elements" read element; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of April, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

